Annoyed at having their private time interrupted, Aila furrowed her brows.
When she turned her head, she saw a man in the uniform of the Imperial Guard striding quickly across the rear garden. He was a knight named Rowen, who had been assigned to protect the Emperor in Varkas's place, since Varkas himself was in charge of overseeing the journey.
The knight bowed lightly to Aila, then addressed his superior in an urgent tone.
"His Majesty commands your presence at once, my lord."
Aila instantly realized who was behind this summons. She knew it was Senevier. Just from the knight's dark expression, she could sense something unfavorable had happened.
She bit her lip. The upcoming pilgrimage had already been authorized by the council. Her betrothal to Varkas as well had been long pursued by the conservative nobles who supported the Crown Prince. Whatever schemes that woman was plotting, it was far too late to overturn them.
And yet, Aila could not shake off the ominous feeling. That woman had spent years weaving plots to drive a wedge between Gares and Varkas. Hadn't she gone so far as to defy the Grand Duke of Siorcan himself, keeping Varkas chained to Talia's side for a full seven years after his investiture? Surely she was attempting to sway the Emperor again, to disrupt matters.
Though it broke etiquette, Aila stepped in between the two men.
"I'll go with you."
"But, Your Highness, His Majesty…"
"I am a Princess of this Empire. I have the right to seek an audience with the Emperor whenever I desire. And right now, I desire to stand before my father alongside my betrothed."
The knight looked flustered at her insistence, glancing sidelong at Varkas as if his decision mattered more than hers. That stung her pride, but she kept her composure—she knew all too well how much the guards revered Varkas.
At last, Varkas inclined his head.
"As Your Highness wishes."
With his permission, the knight fell into step beside her, as if to guard her personally.
Keeping her back straight, Aila left the garden and made her way toward the main palace.
When they passed through the entrance of the Great Hall, she was struck by the contrast: harsh summer sunlight blazing through the windows, scattering across the cool marble interior. She crossed the white expanse of the hall and ascended the steps carpeted in deep red.
The towering doors leading to the Emperor's audience chamber bore engravings of Darian, the first Emperor of Roem, and the knights who had followed him.
Casting a brief glance over those familiar figures, she stepped inside. Beyond lay a vast hall adorned with patterned carpets, and at its far end, the golden throne of the Emperor.
Aila straightened her back as she gazed upon the man who held all power in the realm—and the woman who stood at his side. Her father's face was solemn, as always. And Senevier…
Her thoughts stopped dead. The moment she saw the Empress, surrounded by a golden radiance, despair washed over her.
How was it possible? With each passing year, Senevier only seemed to grow more beautiful—terrifyingly so.
The Golden Demon…
Every time she faced her, Aila remembered an old fable.
Once, there were two brothers who cherished one another above all else. But a demon, who hated all things good, sought to drive them apart. It dropped a giant lump of gold in their path. Blinded by its glitter, the brothers quarreled over it until at last they struck each other down.
The first time Aila saw Senevier, she thought: The demon has taken human form, to destroy us with her golden glow.
Her radiance blinded a once-honorable sovereign, ruined the life of another woman, and condemned Aila and her siblings to lives steeped in grief and humiliation. And that wasn't all—the demon even bore a son, threatening the position of Gares himself.
Her gaze drifted down to the small boy standing at the Empress's side. Asros Roem Gwirta, the Second Prince, peered at Aila and Varkas with wide, curious green eyes.
Every time she looked at that sharp-eyed child, Aila was seized with dread. She couldn't understand why Gares bristled more fiercely at the insignificant Talia than at this younger brother, who possessed a true claim to the throne.
When she thought of the years of disgrace her mother had endured because of Talia's existence, she felt fury too. But Talia herself was nothing—a pitiful shadow. All she did was torment servants, stir up scandal, and earn the contempt of the court. Aila saw her only as a nuisance, a lingering scar of the past, not as a true threat. For that reason, she could even bear with the girl's petty malice.
But Asros was different. She knew that many in the palace were charmed by the boy's innocent eyes. Some, uneasy with Gares's fiery temper, were beginning to pin quiet hopes upon him.
"What is this delay in paying respects?"
The Emperor's deep voice jolted Aila from her thoughts. He was watching her with faint puzzlement.
Quickly, she moved to Varkas's side and bowed gracefully.
"I followed Lord Siorcan because I wished to see Your Majesty's face. Please forgive me for arriving without notice."
"Raise your head. You may come before me whenever you wish."
The voice of Emperor Virrus Roem Gwirta was uncharacteristically gentle. Perhaps he felt guilt, remembering the wife he had betrayed, for he always treated Aila with special leniency.
Suppressing her bitterness, she lowered her head respectfully.
"I thank Your Majesty for your gracious words."
"Well, this is convenient. The First Princess must learn of it sooner or later. I may as well explain it now, before everyone."
It was Senevier who spoke, leaning toward the Emperor, whispering softly as she stroked her son's auburn hair.
Little Asros seemed captivated, his green eyes darting between the adults as if their conversation was a game. Aila, watching him warily, lifted her gaze to glare at the Empress.
"What exactly is it you mean to explain?"
"You'll hear it from His Majesty himself."
Senevier replied smoothly, brushing her fingers across the Emperor's hand. Aila forced herself to look away, as though she hadn't seen it.
Silence hung in the chamber. At length, her father spoke, as though carefully choosing his words.
"The reason I have called you here today is to inform you that there has been a change in the pilgrimage plans."
"I will hear Your Majesty's command."
Varkas, even at the unexpected turn, betrayed not a trace of surprise. That composure seemed to unsettle the Emperor, who frowned before speaking brusquely.
"Talia will be accompanying the pilgrimage. Assign additional guards for her, and prepare the necessary equipment."
Aila froze at the words she had not expected.
read more on brightnovels.com